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☆ Canada finance minister defends central bank independence after rate comment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsSept 6 (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the central bank's independence on Wednesday after her comments welcoming the Bank of Canada's decision not to increase its key interest rate raised concerns to the contrary. In a widely expected decision, the Bank of Canada held interest rates steady at a 22-year high of 5%. It is rare for Canadian government ministers to publicly back or criticize central bank policies. Like many developed economies, the Bank of Canada makes its monetary policy decisions independent of the federal government. In June, when the central bank raised rates for the first time after a four-month pause, Freeland stressed that she respected the independence of the central bank, a sentiment she repeated in a press conference later in the day.

Persons: Thomas White, Chrystia Freeland, Freeland, Derek Holt, Pierre Poilievre, Justin Trudeau's, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren, Denny Thomas, Leslie Adler Organizations: Canadian Finance, Bank of, Bank of Canada, Conservative, Liberal, Ontario, Thomson Locations: Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ottawa

☆ Bank of Canada says interest rates may not be high enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference after announcing an interest rate decision in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 12, 2023. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBy Steve Scherer and David LjunggrenOTTAWA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem on Thursday said interest rates may not be high enough to bring inflation back down to target, sending a hawkish message after holding borrowing costs at a 22-year high a day earlier. The central bank hiked rates by a quarter point in both June and July in a bid to tame stubbornly high inflation. "We don't want to raise our policy rate more than we have to," Macklem said, adding that persistently high inflation would be worse for Canadians than high borrowing costs. (Reporting by Steve Scherer, editing by David Ljunggren)((Reuters Ottawa bureau, david.ljunggren@tr.com))Keywords: CANADA CENBANK/Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Blair Gable, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren OTTAWA, Macklem, Chrystia Freeland, David Ljunggren Organizations: Canada, REUTERS, Bank of Canada, BoC, federal, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, Calgary , Alberta, Reuters Ottawa

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference after announcing an interest rate decision in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 12, 2023. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Sept 6 (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada on Wednesday is expected to keep rates on hold at a 22-year high of 5% after the economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter, analysts said. While the economy turned negative in the second quarter, inflation has been stubborn, unexpectedly rising to 3.3% in July as core measures remained well above 3%. Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's support has sagged amid high inflation as his Conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre, hammered him for feeding inflation with government spending and driving up rates during a housing crisis. But core inflation measures are inching down slowly, and a wealth of data is due out before the bank next meets to discuss rates in October.

Persons: Blair Gable, Derek Holt, Justin Trudeau's, Pierre Poilievre, Tiago Figueiredo, Holt, Steve Scherer, Mark Porter Organizations: Canada, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Canada, of Canada, Scotiabank, Canada's Liberal, Conservative, Bank of Canada's, Desjardins Group, Reuters, BoC, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference after announcing an interest rate decision in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 12, 2023. The central bank hiked rates by a quarter point in both June and July in a bid to tame stubbornly high inflation, which has remained above the bank's 2% target for 27 months. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will deliver a speech and hold a press conference to discuss the decision on Thursday. Reuters GraphicsLiberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's support has sagged amid high inflation as his Conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre, hammered him for fueling inflation with government spending and driving up rates during a housing crisis. "The Bank of Canada's decision to maintain its overnight interest rate is welcome relief for Canadians," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

Persons: Blair Gable, Doug Porter, Andrew Kelvin, Justin Trudeau's, Pierre Poilievre, Chrystia Freeland, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren, Fergal Smith, Ismail Shakil, Divya Rajagopal, Nivedita Balu, Mark Porter Organizations: Canada, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Canada, Wednesday, Governing, BoC, BMO Capital Markets, Canadian, Reuters, TD Securities, Reuters Graphics Liberal, Conservative, Finance, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada

☆ Bank of Canada holds rates, says it could hike further if inflation persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference after announcing an interest rate decision in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 12, 2023. The central bank hiked rates by a quarter point in both June and July in a bid to tame stubbornly high inflation, which has remained above the bank's 2% target for 27 months. "Governing Council remains concerned about the persistence of underlying inflationary pressures, and is prepared to increase the policy interest rate further if needed." Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's support has sagged amid high inflation as his Conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre, hammered him for fueling inflation with government spending and driving up rates during a housing crisis. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will deliver a speech and hold a press conference to discuss the decision on Thursday.

Persons: Blair Gable, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren OTTAWA, Justin Trudeau's, Pierre Poilievre, David Ljunggren Organizations: Canada, REUTERS, Bank of Canada, Wednesday, Governing, of Canada, BoC, Liberal, Conservative, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, Reuters Ottawa

☆ Solus unit to build Canada copper foil facility as part of EV battery push
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Sept 5 (Reuters) - A unit of South Korea's Solus Advanced Materials (336370.KS) will build a copper foil facility in the Canadian province of Quebec, producing technology for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Ottawa said on Tuesday. "Canada is a partner of choice when it comes to the future of the automotive sector," Champagne said in a statement. The Volta plant is expected to employ 260 people. Granby is close to Becancour, a small town to the east of Montreal seeking to become an EV supply chain hub. Last month a consortium of Ford Motor Co F.N and South Korean companies said they would build a C$1.2 billion plant to produce EV battery materials in Becancour.

Persons: Francois, Philippe Champagne, Champagne, David Ljunggren, Josie Kao Organizations: Volta Energy Solutions, Ford Motor Co, Thomson Locations: OTTAWA, KS, Canadian, Quebec, Ottawa, Granby, Canada, Becancour, Montreal

☆ Canada says addressing Google, Facebook concerns over online news law
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen in front of displayed Google logo in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. Facebook and Google will need to voluntarily negotiate deals with news publishers in Canada and pay a portion of their global revenues, based on a set calculation, according to the draft regulations. Both companies have said that the law is unworkable for their businesses, and Meta has already ended news sharing on its platforms in Canada. Google also plans to block news from search results in Canada before the law comes into effect. Agreements that Google and Facebook reach must also cover independent local, Indigenous and official language minority community news businesses, according to the draft regulations.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alphabet's, Ismail Shakil, David Ljunggren, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Google, Canada's, Facebook, Meta, Canadian, Canadian Radio, Telecommunications Commission, Thomson Locations: Canada, Ottawa

☆ In surprise move, Canada pauses talks on trade treaty with India
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Canada on Friday unexpectedly said it had paused talks on a proposed trade treaty with India, just three months after the two nations said they aimed to seal an initial agreement this year. Canada and India have been talking off and on since 2010 about a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. India and Canada said in May they aimed to seal an initial agreement this year to increase trade and expand investment while setting out a mechanism to deal with disputes. Last month, a top Indian trade official said New Delhi planned to hold bilateral free trade talks with Canada and other nations on the sidelines of a G20 summit next week. Neither Trudeau's office or the office of Trade Minister Mary Ng were immediately available for comment.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Chris Helgren, we've, Sanjay Kumar Verma, Trudeau, Mary Ng, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Canada's, Seventh Assembly of, Global Environment, REUTERS, Rights, Canadian Press, Ottawa, Trade, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, India, New Delhi, Delhi

☆ US FTC secures settlement with ICE, Black Knight over $11.7 bln deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A screen displays the logo for Black Knight on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 4, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Acquire Licensing RightsAug 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday said it had secured a settlement resolving antitrust concerns over NYSE-owner Intercontinental Exchange's (ICE.N) proposed purchase of data vendor Black Knight (BKI.N). The proposed settlement ensures Black Knight's divestiture of Empower and Optimal Blue, two businesses that provide services in the mortgage origination process, the FTC said. Black Knight said in mid-July it would sell its Optimal Blue business for $700 million. Optimal Blue provides data and technology to price and trade mortgages.

Persons: Knight, Brendan McDermid, Henry Liu, Joe Biden, Jasper Ward, David Ljunggren, Cynthia Osterman, Bill Berkrot Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, NYSE, Intercontinental, FTC, Competition, Constellation Software, Constellation Web Solutions, ICE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, FTC's

☆ US asks Mexico to review cargo airline pilots' rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 30 (Reuters) - The United States is asking Mexico to review whether the labor rights of pilots at a small cargo airline are being infringed, the eight such request Washington has made this year, U.S. officials said on Wednesday. Since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade took effect in 2020, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative has now launched a total of 13 labor rights complaints against facilities in Mexico. The United States wants Mexico to probe if pilots at Mas Air, a Mexico City-based cargo airline, are being denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. "Today's action highlights the United States is committed to safeguarding the labor rights enshrined in the USMCA across industries and sectors," Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement. Mexico has 10 days to agree to conduct a review and, if it agrees, 45 days from Wednesday to complete the review.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Washington, David Ljunggren, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S . Trade Representative, United, Mas Air, Thomson Locations: United States, Mexico, Washington, U.S, Canada, Mexico City

☆ US says it has disrupted notorious 'Qakbot' hacking network
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A computer keyboard lit by a displayed cyber code is seen in this illustration picture taken on March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 29 (Reuters) - U.S. authorities on Tuesday announced an international law enforcement operation to disrupt the notorious "Qakbot" malware platform used extensively used by cybercriminals involved in financial crime. The operation also involved France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Britain, it said. First discovered more than a decade ago, Qakbot is commonly spread through malicious, boobytrapped emails sent to unsuspecting victims. Security researchers say they believe the hacking network originates in Russia and has attacked organizations around the world from Germany to Argentina.

Persons: Kacper, cybercriminals, Christopher Bing, David Ljunggren Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: France, Germany, Netherlands, Britain, Russia, Argentina

☆ Canada, citing potential dangers, warns LGBTQ travelers of US risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OTTAWA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Canada, citing the risk of potential dangers, is advising LGBTQ travelers planning trips to the United States to check how they might be affected by recently passed laws in some states, Ottawa said on Tuesday. Anti-LGBTQ demonstrations in the United States last year rocketed 30-fold compared with 2017 and legal moves to restrict LGBTQ rights are on the rise. Canada's travel advisory for the United States now includes a cautionary message for those who consider themselves two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning or intersex - or 2SLGBTQI+ for short. The overall risk profile for the United States remains at green, indicating a normal security precautions requirement. The United States is Canadians' top travel destination, and in June residents returned from about 2.8 million trips south of the border.

Persons: Chrystia Freeland, Biden, Ismail Shakil, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: OTTAWA, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Canada, United States, Ottawa, Atlantic Canada, The U.S

Idalia was expected to intensify rapidly before slamming ashore on Wednesday morning, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC). SURGES UP TO 12 FEET HIGHMost of Florida's 21 million residents, along with many in Georgia and South Carolina, were under hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings and advisories. "I don't panic, I prepare," said Bontrager, 40, who runs six sport and charter fishing boats in Venice along the Gulf Coast near Tampa. From Tuesday through Thursday, Florida's Gulf Coast along with southeastern Georgia and eastern portions of North and South Carolina could face torrential rains of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm, the hurricane center warned. In some spots, the surge of water could rise 8 to 12 feet (2.5-3.7 m), the hurricane center said.

Persons: Idalia, Ron DeSantis, Irma, Michael, Ian, Milton Bontrager's, Hurricane Idalia, Marco Bello, Anthony Holloway, DeSantis, Guan, Madelin Suarez Morejon, Rich McKay, Dave Sherwood, Brendan O'Brien, Steve Gorman, Swati Verma, David Ljunggren, Joseph Ax, Lincoln, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Hurricane Center, NHC, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management, CNN, Tampa International, National Guard, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Florida, Florida's Gulf Coast, Miami, Bend, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa, St, Petersburg, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, Georgia, South Carolina, Sarasota, Venice, Gulf, North, Cedar Key , Florida, Apalachicola Bay ., CUBA, Caribbean, Havana, Pinar del Rio, Atlanta, Guanimar, Chicago, Los Angeles, Bengaluru, Ottawa, West Stockbridge , Massachusetts

☆ Cybercrime set to threaten Canada's security, prosperity - spy agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Organized cybercrime is set to pose a threat to Canada's national security and economic prosperity over the next two years, the national signal intelligence agency said on Monday. Cyber criminals continue to show resilience and an ability to innovate their business model, it said. "Organized cybercrime will very likely pose a threat to Canada's national security and economic prosperity over the next two years," said CSE, which is the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency. But Chris Lynam, director general of Canada's National Cybercrime Coordination Centre, said very few crimes were reported and the real amount stolen last year could easily be C$5 billion or more. Tehran likely tolerates cybercrime activities by Iran-based cyber criminals that align with the state's strategic and ideological interests, it added.

Persons: Kacper, Chris Lynam, David Ljunggren, Tomasz Janowski, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Communications Security, Western, U.S . National Security Agency, Coordination, Soviet Union, CSE, Thomson Locations: Russia, Iran, Canada, Moscow, Tehran

P01135809, according to Fulton County Jail records - was captured glaring at the camera in the mug shot. His campaign website featured the mug shot along with a message from Trump defending his actions and asking for donations. TRIAL DATE WRANGLINGWillis originally proposed a trial date of March 4 but moved it up for Chesebro after he asked that his trial start by October. In the Georgia case, Willis has requested that arraignments begin the week of Sept. 5, though defendants in Georgia are permitted to waive those appearances and plead not guilty via court filing. Trump agreed to post $200,000 bond and accepted bail conditions that would bar him from threatening witnesses or his co-defendants in the Georgia case.

Persons: Meadows, Donald Trump's, president's, unsmiling Trump, Trump, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lyle Rayworth, Rayworth, MONA LISA, Mona Lisa, Laura Loomer, Donald Trump, mugshot, Scott McAfee, Kenneth Chesebro, Fani Willis, Rudolph Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Mark Meadows, Willis, Steven Sadow, arraignments, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith, Bragg, Trump's, Tucker Carlson, I've, Carlson, Rich McKay, Jack Queen, Eric Beech, Costas Pitas, David Ljunggren, Jacqueline Thomsen, Kanishka Singh, Rami Ayyub, Andy Sullivan, Joseph Ax, Will Dunham, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis, Howard Goller Organizations: Trump, White House, U.S, Capitol, Hartsfield, White, Republican Party, Republican, Democratic, Georgia U.S, Former U.S, Sheriff's, Fulton County Sheriff's, New, U.S . Justice Department, Chesebro, Manhattan, Attorney, . House, Thomson Locations: ATLANTA, Atlanta, U.S, Georgia, Fulton County, New Jersey, Jackson, Fulton, Atlanta , Georgia, New York, Washington, Miami, Milwaukee

☆ Canada probing Walmart, Hugo Boss over allegations of forced labor in supply chains
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Canada's corporate ethics watchdog on Thursday announced investigations into the Canadian units of Walmart (WMT.N) and Hugo Boss (BOSSn.DE) to probe allegations of Uyghur forced labor in the companies' supply chains and operations. The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) said it had published an initial assessment report after complaints filed by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations in June 2022. CORE will also investigate the Canadian unit of fashion firm Diesel, which is owned by Italy's OTB (OTB.L). In March, a U.N. committee said it was concerned about China's treatment of its Muslim minority, including the use of forced labor against Uyghurs. CORE was launched in 2019 to monitor and investigate human rights abuses, mainly by Canadian garment, mining and oil and gas companies operating abroad.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Hugo Boss, Italy's OTB, Ralph Lauren, RL.N, Sheri Meyerhoffer, CORE's Ombudsperson, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Responsible Enterprise, Diesel, Nike Canada, CORE, Thomson Locations: Rosemead , California, U.S, China

☆ US approves possible sale of F-16 search and track systems to Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker Acquire Licensing RightsAug 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said in a statement. The move could irritate Beijing, which repeatedly demanded the United States - Taiwan's most important arms supplier - halt the sale of weapons to the island. The $500 million is the maximum potential value of the contract and the actual dollar value will be lower, the Pentagon said. The United States unveiled a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345 million late last month.

Persons: Paulo Whitaker, Tsai Ing, Katharine Jackson, David Ljunggren, Caitlin Webber Organizations: U.S . Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Corp, United, State Department, Thomson Locations: CRUZEX, Natal, Brazil, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, China

☆ Biden to attend G20 summit in India, VP Harris goes to ASEAN
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a community event at the Lahaina Civic Center, in the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will visit India from Sept. 7-10 for a summit of the Group of 20 nations while Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Jakarta Sept. 4-7 to attend summits of Southeast Asian leaders, the White House said on Tuesday. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan announced the trips as the BRICS group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - held a summit in Johannesburg. Reuters reported exclusively on Aug. 9 that Biden was unlikely to attend summits of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, citing several diplomats saying it would be a significant disappointment if Biden did not go. Reporting by Susan Heavey and Arshad Mohammed, writing by David Ljunggren and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Biden, Susan Heavey, Arshad Mohammed, David Ljunggren, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Lahaina Civic Center, REUTERS, White House, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Camp David, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, India, Jakarta, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Johannesburg, United States, Asia, Pacific, Indo Pacific, South Korea, Japan, Camp

☆ Canadian finance minister, who does not own a car, fined for speeding
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland attends a news conference before delivering the federal budget in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, an avid cyclist who says she does not own a car, was fined C$273 ($200) for speeding in her home province of Alberta, a spokesperson said on Tuesday. Cuplinskas did not say when the incident occurred and what the speed limit had been on that stretch of road. The maximum speed limit on Alberta highways is 110 km/hr. "A fact that still shocks my dad is that I don't actually own a car," she told reporters last month.

Persons: Finance Chrystia Freeland, Blair Gable, Chrystia Freeland, Freeland, Katherine Cuplinskas, Cuplinskas, David Ljunggren, Sonali Paul Organizations: Finance, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian Finance, Counter, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, Alberta, Grande Prairie, Peace, Freeland, Toronto, Canada's

☆ Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The Canadian government, under pressure over the rising cost of housing, could consider capping foreign student visas, which have rocketed in recent years, new Housing Minister Sean Fraser said on Monday. Official data show there were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in 2022, up from 275,000 in 2012. Canada is a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain a work permit. Fraser, who was immigration minister before taking up his job last month, said the sharp rise in the number of students was putting pronounced pressure on some housing markets. Asked whether a cap could be imposed on the number of foreign students, he said, "I think that is one of the options that we ought to consider."

Persons: Sean Fraser, Fraser, We've, Prince Edward Island, Justin Trudeau, David Ljunggren, Josie Kao Organizations: OTTAWA, Canadian, Conservative Party, Liberal, Thomson Locations: Canada, Atlantic, Prince

☆ Trump has commanding lead in Iowa ahead of 2024 Republican caucus - poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom survey of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers shows Trump has the backing of 42%, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 19% and U.S. Among Trump supporters, however, 66% said their vote was set, while 34% said they could be persuaded to change their minds. The poll found 65% of likely Republican caucusgoers didn't think Trump had committed serious crimes, compared with the 26% who believed he had. The survey came ahead of Wednesday's first Republican primary debate, which Trump has said he will skip, citing his large lead in polls. A national CBS poll on Sunday showed Trump was the preferred candidate for 62% of Republican voters, with DeSantis trailing behind at 16%.

Persons: Donald Trump, Iowa Republican caucusgoers, Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Joe Biden, Ann Selzer, Iowa pollster, caucusgoers didn't, Biden, David Ljunggren, Colleen Jenkins, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Former U.S, Republican, Des Moines Register, NBC, Iowa Republican, Florida Governor, U.S, Democratic, Iowa, Trump, CBS, Sunday, DeSantis, Thomson Locations: Former, Iowa, Georgia, Wednesday's

☆ Canada PM Trudeau blasts Meta for blocking news during wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday blasted Meta (META.O) for banning domestic news from its platforms as wildfires rage, saying up-to-date information during a crisis is crucial. Trudeau's comments represent the latest government attack on Meta, which this month started blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada in response to a new law requiring internet giants to pay for news articles. Some people fleeing wildfires complained to domestic media that the ban prevented them from sharing important data about the fires. "It's time for us to expect more from corporations like Facebook that are making billions of dollars off of Canadians," Trudeau said. Reporting by Ismail Shakil; Writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Prince Edward Island, Trudeau, Meta, Ismail Shakil, David Ljunggren, Mark Porter Organizations: OTTAWA, Canadian, Facebook, Federal Liberal, Thomson Locations: Atlantic, Prince, Canada

☆ Meta putting profit ahead of safety by blocking wildfire news, says Trudeau
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OTTAWA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday criticized Meta (META.O) for blocking domestic news from its platforms, saying the Facebook-parent was prioritizing profit over safety as devastating wildfires force tens of thousands to evacuate their homes. "Facebook is putting corporate profits ahead of people's safety," Trudeau told a televised news conference in the Atlantic province of Prince Edward Island, saying the company's actions were "inconceivable." [1/2]A satellite image shows wildfires burning near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada August 16, 2023. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFederal Liberal cabinet ministers last week described the ban as reckless and irresponsible. Some people fleeing wildfires complained to domestic media that the ban prevented them from sharing important data about the fires.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Meta, Trudeau, Prince Edward Island, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren, Mark Porter, Nick Macfie, Sandra Maler Organizations: OTTAWA, Canadian, Facebook, Maxar Technologies, REUTERS, Federal Liberal, Northwest Territories, Thomson Locations: Canada, Atlantic, Prince, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Cornwall, NWT, Kelowna, Ottawa

Aug 18 (Reuters) - A massive wildfire in Canada's western province of British Columbia prompted more evacuation orders early on Friday, as firefighters race against advancing flames to move all residents from the remote northern city of Yellowknife to safety. The evacuation orders were issued after wildfires that were discovered on Tuesday jumped Lake Okanagan, sparking spot wildfires in Kelowna. The massive fire to the northwest of Yellowknife only advanced by around one kilometer on Thursday, officials said, held back by winds. It is now about 15 km away from the city and authorities expect the fires to reach the outskirts of Yellowknife by the weekend. Officials in British Columbia, which has suffered unusually intense blazes this year, warned residents to prepare for extreme fire conditions.

Persons: Nobody, Tebbia Teoncey, Jennifer Gauthier, Mike Westwick, Bowinn Ma, Dan Whitcomb, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil, Denny Thomas, Stephen Coates, Sharon Singleton Organizations: British Columbia, REUTERS, Yellowknife, City of, Emergency Management, Thomson Locations: British, Yellowknife, Kelowna, Vancouver, Kelowna ., Northwest Territories, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, British Columbia, City, City of West Kelowna, Ottawa

☆ Canada imposing sanctions on Russian individuals, entities over human rights violations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Plastic letters arranged to read "Sanctions" are placed in front the flag colors of Canada and Russia in this illustration taken February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Canada is imposing sanctions on 15 Russian individuals and three entities in what Ottawa said was a response to rising levels of human rights violations and violence faced by political opponents and critics in Russia, the foreign ministry said on Friday. The sanctioned individuals and entities are senior officials of the Russian government, judiciary and investigative committee, as well as federally funded courts, the ministry said in a statement. Reporting by David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil in OttawaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil Organizations: REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Thomson Locations: Canada, Russia, Ottawa

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